Heald will talk about the works of Steichen, Caponigro

The Allen and Helen Hermes Art Series (HAS) of the Mark Twain Library is presenting a talk by David Heald, director of photographic services at the Guggenheim Museum, on Sunday, Jan. 27, at 3 p.m. Mr. Heald’s presentation, “Edward Steichen and Paul Caponigro — Seeing the Redding Landscape,” will feature the work of these two giants of 20th Century photography.

“I want to highlight work that both of these men made in Redding, but will show work from all phases their careers, including a brief video clip of each artist speaking about his work,” said Mr. Heald.

Mr. Steichen lived in Redding for 45 years. He was once deemed the best known and highest paid photographer in the world. His well-earned titles were many: First Modern Fashion Photographer, award-winning war photographer and winner of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, which was presented to him by President Lyndon B. Johnson. After World War II Mr. Steichen served as director of photography at New York’s Museum of Modern Art.

In 1928, Mr. Steichen purchased the farm on what is today Topstone Road. While there he turned his eye to nature, specifically the world around him in Redding. After his death, Mr. Steichen’s farm became Topstone Park.

Paul Caponigro, another world renowned photographer, made Redding his home from 1967 to 1973. His career spanned more than 60 years and earned him recognition as one of the foremost landscape photographers in America. While living in Redding the photographer created a famous series of views of the Redding woods along the banks of Little River.

His work appears in numerous collections including the Museum of Modern Art, N.Y. and the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He is the recipient of grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation. His work in Great Britain and Ireland will be featured in a major exhibition at the Yale Center for British Art scheduled for 2014. Mr. Caponigro, now 80, lives and works in Cushing, Maine.

David Heald has been chief photographer at the Guggenheim since 1985. His work is represented in a number of private and public collections. His book, Architecture of Silence, written about the Cistercian architecture of France, was named one of the finest architectural books of the year by the New York Times Book Review. He lives in Redding where he serves on the Board of Trustees of the Redding Land Trust.

Following Mr. Heald’s presentation and question and answer session, light refreshments will be served. Admission is free though reservations are requested since space is limited. For those wishing to attend, the library has a sign-up sheet at the front desk. Registration is also accepted by phoning the library at 203-938-2545.